(Williams Martini Racing Team)
The Williams Martini Racing Team head to the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim this weekend off the back of the best finish of the season so far last time out at their home Grand Prix in Silverstone where Valtteri Bottas finished the race in second place behind Lewis Hamilton. It was Bottas' second successive podium following his third place finish at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Speaking ahead of this weekend's race Williams Head of Vehicle Performance Rob Smedley said:
'We haven’t been to Hockenheim for two years as a team because you alternate the tracks in Germany but I think that it can be a good track for us. It’s like Silverstone in the way that it’s quite an efficient track. There’s good power sensitivity with the long straights which will be good for us. In terms of tyres, we will use both soft and super-soft. It’s often cold and rainy as it was during qualifying last time we went there in 2012, alternatively, it can be really hot and that can affect the rear tyres, meaning you must keep both temperatures and graining under control. That is our key focus going into the race weekend, and we hope to come out with more good points.'
The Grove based outfit have now moved into fourth place in the Constructors championship on 103 point's just three behind Ferrari in third place. The team have had an incredible start to the season and are looking forward to the race this weekend. Valtteri Bottas goes into the race in 5th place in the driver's championship 14 point's behind Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. The Finn has scored point's in eight of the nine race's this season. The Finn has never raced in Formula One at the Hockenheimring and is hopeful that the team will be in a position to challenge for a good result this weekend.
'Hockenheim is a great race, the fans are very passionate and a lot of people come to watch. Overtaking is possible so good racing is expected. I think it should be a circuit that suits our car; the old circuit would have been perfect. I hope we can continue the good form we have had in the last three races and I am looking forward to a good weekend and some more points.'
Felipe Massa heads to the German Grand Prix yet to score a podium this season and he will be hoping to rectify that this weekend. The Williams Martini Racing Team have shown that the FW36 is an extremely competitive car. The Brazilian is currently in 10th place in the Driver's championship just 5 point's behind McLaren's Kevin Magnussen. Speaking ahead of the German Grand Prix this weekend Massa commented:
'Germany is a good track as you can overtake easier than some places as the straight is long and you can use the DRS to get past. The track demands good down-force, especially the last sector so we have been working to improve that. We have been building on what is a good car, so I am confident that we can continue the moment and have a good performance.'
Williams Martini Racing test and development driver Susie Wolff will once again be action in FW36 during Free Practice One on Friday morning when she takes to the cockpit of Valtteri Bottas' car. Last time out in Silverstone Wolff was left disappointed after an engine failure ended her run after just four lap's of the Silverstone circuit.
She will be hoping for better luck on Friday morning and knows the Hockenheimring extremely well having raced there during her time competing in the German Touring Car Championship.
© Ben Johnston 2014
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